The familiar smells and sounds of the distillery greet me as I step inside the building. I catch sight of the back of Louis Artesian’s head as he steps into a storeroom.

The walk to Keira’s office has never seemed shorter. Shouldn’t it take longer to get there?

I wipe my sweaty palms on my black pencil skirt before adjusting my yellow blouse again.

I picked a sunny color thinking it felt optimistic and cheerful, but it’s not helping. I’ve halfway convinced myself to turn around so I can change into jeans and a T-shirt and go hammer metal instead.

Why am I afraid to tell her?

Because Keira’s been there for me for years. Working at Seven Sinners was the best job I’ve ever had in my life, along with giving me a reliable income and carrying some prestige, so it seems insane for me to quit. And yet, I can’t make myself come back and work here.

Giving up the steady paycheck is the biggest risk, but the new theme in my life seems to be taking chances. And this morning, I’m taking one of my biggest chances yet.

At least, the biggest one outside of telling Kane that I loved him.

I shake my head at the wonderment of that. Not only is he not dead, but he loves me and we have a future now.

I pause in front of Keira’s closed door and tap on the wood.

“Who is it?” she calls out.

“Temperance,” I reply.

“Come on in.”

My hand slips off the handle on the first try, but I get it on the second and twist. As soon as I step inside the office, I freeze.

Keira isn’t alone. Mount is here.

Oh fuck.

Immediately, I start to back up. “I’m so sorry. I truly didn’t mean to interrupt you. I can come back another time.” Like when I have body armor on, I add silently.

Mount’s black eyes lock onto me, carrying a silent warning not even I could miss.

“Thank the Lord, you’re back! I’ve missed you like crazy, and the work is getting out of control, even with the new people we hired.”

Before I can answer, Mount speaks for me.

“She’s not back. She’s here to quit.”

His words leave no room for debate. Even if I hadn’t come here to give my notice, Mount would have ensured it. I suppose, in some respects, that makes this even easier. He doesn’t want me here, and no one questions the king.

“What?” Keira blurts out the word, her shock clear from her tone. “She’s not going to—” Keira goes silent and stares at me. I don’t know what she’s looking for or what she sees on my face, but her expression falls. “You are here to quit, aren’t you?”

Stupid tears. They burn behind my eyes, like I haven’t had enough emotional turmoil over the past month.

“I’m so sorry, Keira.” I glance at Mount and his chin lifts in approval, giving me the wherewithal to continue. “But I don’t want to leave you in the lurch if you still really need me.”

Keira looks up at Mount, and they have an entire conversation without ever speaking. When she turns her attention back to me, she shakes her head.

“If this is what you need, then that’s what needs to happen. That doesn’t mean I won’t miss you like crazy, but with the extra help we’ve hired, we’ll figure it out. No one will ever quite be able to replace you, though.”

“Are you sure?” I’m not certain how to feel about her easy acceptance, but I decide I’m going to be happy that she’s okay with it.

Keira stands and walks around Mount to meet me in the middle of her office. “I’m positive. Running this distillery is the dream I’ve had since I was a little girl. But just because it’s my dream doesn’t mean it needs to be yours. I’m never going to hold you back or make you feel guilty for leaving to do something else that makes you happy. Do you have a plan?”

I nod. “I do. Valentina is going to hold a showing at Noble Art for my sculptures. I’ve already sold her two, so I have a cushion to live on even if things fall apart.”

“Don’t bank on it falling apart. I saw the piece we sold. You have talent.” Keira pauses. “You know I want one, right? Can you make one that looks like the Seven Sinners logo? I’ll commission it with a deposit and everything. I want to display it in the lobby.”

The tears that were burning behind my eyes get the better of me, and one slides down my cheek. “You do?”

“Absolutely. Inspirational and motivational. I’ll take it whenever you finish. No deadline. Just tell me how much.”

I laugh because it’s the only choice other than bursting into thankful sobs. “I’ll have to get back to you on a price. I haven’t sorted any of that out yet.”

“You ran this business like you were born to it. I know you can run your own like a master. Don’t doubt yourself, Temperance. You’ll be incredible.”

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“You never have to thank me for anything. You saved my ass more times than I can count. I’m grateful to you. Besides, it’s just wonderful to see you smile again.”

Her comment brings me back to the present and everything that has happened in the last few days. A couple of mornings ago, I was a grieving, crying disaster. Today, I’m only a bit of a crying mess. But still, I can’t tell Keira why that is. I can’t tell anyone why that is. At least, not yet.

I glance back at Mount and find him watching me closely. That’s when I remember—he knows.

He freaking knew all along. I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from asking why he would keep something so massive from me.

Instead, I meet his dark stare with my own, and we have our own silent conversation.

---

Mount: Say anything about your brother or your hit man to my wife and you’ll face the consequences.

Me: You’re a fucking prick, but I forgive you because the two most important men in my life are alive. Suck a dick, though.

---

Apparently, silent me is a lot more daring than real me.

“Mount,” I say with a nod. “Good to see you.”

He inclines his head. “Glad to see you took my words to heart.”

“I’m doing my best.”

“Keep it up. I’ll expect to see the piece Keira wants commissioned in the lobby within the month.”

Keira whips around to look at her husband. “Six months. I’m not pressuring her.”

“She needs the money, so she’ll get it to you sooner.”

“He’s right. I’ll have it to you as soon as I’m able. But it might take longer than a month because of the showing.”

My former boss shakes her head at her husband and turns back to me with a wink. “Feel free to send him the bill now, but I’ll take it whenever you finish.”

A small chuckle escapes my throat. “Duly noted.”

“I’ll have some boxes delivered to your office, and while we pack up your stuff, you’re going to tell me about the temp assistant you had while I was on vacation who mysteriously disappeared when you stopped coming in.”

My gaze shoots to Mount, and his expression carries a warning I can’t ignore.

“He didn’t work out as an assistant so much . . . because we started dating. He gave me some space while I was dealing with my grief, and things are . . . going well now.”

Mount gives me an approving nod, and Keira beams.

“I’m so happy for you, Temperance. I look forward to meeting him.”

I smile too because I feel like I just dodged one of Mount’s bullets.

“Now,” Keira adds, “let’s get you packed up so you can go chase that dream of yours even harder.”

Forty minutes later, Kane helps me carry the boxes from my Bronco up to my apartment.

“I can’t believe I did it. I’m officially unemployed!” I feel lighter, as if a massive weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

I set the small box on the counter as Kane deposits a larger one in the corner of the living area and turns to face me.

“You’re self-employed. There’s a difference.”

I take a deep breath, and a wide smile stretches my cheeks until they hurt. “Either way, I feel really good about it. It’s like I’m getting a brand-new start at life.”

He crosses the room, closing the distance between us with only a couple of steps.

“That’s how I felt the second time you came to the club.”

Another wave of warmth blooms in my chest. “Really?”

He nods.

“Why the second time?”

“Because the first time was a dream. The second time held a different kind of promise. Like it was the beginning of something that could be more than a club fling. Everything about it was different. You were different.”

I remember how he left me covered with a blanket, leaving a note saying he wanted to see me again. Knowing that was the absolute truth fills me with another wave of warmth.

I take the opportunity to ask another question that has occupied my mind. “If you hadn’t seen me at the distillery during the auction, would you have come looking for me?”

His blue gaze turns solemn. “Of course. You’re not the kind of woman a man can walk away from without intending to make his way back to as soon as possible.”

Those pesky tears shimmer again, but this time I don’t let them fall. I have a better idea.

“Kiss me, Kane.”

“You mean kiss the artist I’m in love with?”

My smile widens, because now I can check one of the things off my list. “Yes. Kiss her.”

His hand tangles in my hair as he lowers his lips to mine.

While we’re curled around each other in bed an hour later, my phone chimes with a text.

“I don’t want to look. I don’t want reality to intrude today.”

Kane sweeps a lock of hair off my face. “We’re real, princess. Reality ain’t gonna change anything about that. Go check and see if it’s important, and come back to me.”

I untangle myself from him with a sigh and head for the living room to find my purse. My phone chimes again.

I pull it out and check the screen. “What the hell?”

“What?” Kane calls out.

“It’s Magnolia.”